Democratise from below and save Europe's Economy

Newsletter 16 February 2012

As the EU Commission, pressured by big business, perpetuates rather than resolves economic and democratic crises, where can we look for alternatives, and for action? What should Greece do to resist? What can we learn from the radical political movements of the 1960s and '70s, and from the new movements that are gaining momentum across Europe? How can we stop the next wave of commodification of the atmosphere under the guise of a "green economy"

Breaking with fear in GreeceYiorgos Vassalos The real news in Greece is not about riots, but of a growing number of people who have broken away from fear and decided to fight back against the austerity imposed by the 'Troika' of the European Commission, the European Central Bank and the IMF.

For its own sake, Greece needs to declare DefaultCostas Lapavitsas The ruthless austerity programmes imposed on Greece and the endless cycle of debt renegotiations will only come to a close when Athens takes charge of its predicament and announces a democratic and sovereign cessation of payments.

A different kind of EuropeTrevor Evans What would a progressive pan-European response to the Euro crisis look like? Professor Trevor Evans calls for a radical downsizing of the financial sector, debt audits, democratisation of the Commission and a full employment policy.

Another Road for EuropeDonatella della Porta The Euro crisis is more than an economic crisis; it has also unveiled an insidious disregard for democracy at the heart of the European project. How can we democratise the EU "from below"?

Europeanism from belowPaolo Gerbaudo Paolo Gerbaudo reports on the Routes of Europe conference in Florence, arguing that the Italian left must embrace the participatory democracy of the indignados to achieve political purchase.?

An excess of DemocracyHilary Wainwright The philosophy and experience of radical movements in the 1960s and 70s are in several ways complementary to the ideas of the direct action movements of today. Hilary Wainwright examines the possibility of forging a new kind of political economy by learning from the best of both of them.

The EU in crisis - Events

Taking on the Technnocrats17 Feb in London. Trevor Evans and Mary Kaldor to speak on alternative paths for a progressive, democratic Europe.

The EU's New Austerity Treaty29 Feb in Brussels. A new budget treaty awaits signing at the EU Summit that will seal far-reaching new Brussels' powers.